It's been my experience that there are no original ideas out there - and the very few ideas that are "original" quickly get what I would call clingons riding shirt tails (watch the movie "The Big Short" and you'll see exactly what I mean).If you're defining it as not following trends, I'm still not sure how that goes because people are into everything....you've got gold/silver bugs, you've got REIT investors, you got investors that follow master limited partnerships, you've got various aspects of real estate, etc., etc.Personally, I read and digest what other people have done/are doing.  

etc.  ...if I had received a large and positive response from prospective tenants in the first week, I might let it ride for another week to see if anyone signed, but if I got a small or negative response from prospective tenants in the first week, I would re-analyze the market and probably lower the rent and/or do something to make the property more appealing.If this is your first property, and if you want to become a successful real estate investor, I'd strongly suggest you manage the property yourself for at least a year--this will teach you invaluable lessons that you'll need to succeed in REI.

My experience was with GoHoming (which has morphed into HUBZO).

They also paid their employees as little as possible, expected them to work over time for free, and constantly ride their suppliers for better quality and lower costs.As far as my business philosophy, I'd rather make the one $500K commission and spend the rest of my year looking for my next big deal or on vacation over burning the midnight oil dealing with 1000 small transaction for the same income.

I assume you want to borrow and make it affordable for you, with decent terms and don't want to cause problems for the family lender either.Seems everyonr thinks money in the family can just be a very casual thing, it can be, most often it's not wise to do so, unless it's small insignificant money to the family.Things happen in life, people die, they can become incapacitated, disabled, heck, I know a guy who got in a car for a ride and ended up in jail!

I do have a pretty detailed lease stating housing regulations with roommates, and also had an addendum signed re stating the rules and how I will be enforcing them.But there is more to it, the individual had a friend over, whom barged into the females room while she was sleeping asking for a ride home, and on another occasion I was also told the problematic roommate was drunk walking around the home with JUST a shirt on, with all the goods hanging out.

You'll get a full-ride and even get paid to go.  

It could be a rough ride ... or you could just stand your ground and stick to your lease.  

You gotta enjoy the ride.

I invest locally down here in Columbus OH and have enjoyed riding the coat tails of appreciation and high rental rates.